Latest news with #RochdaleFC
ITV News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- ITV News
Former team mate holds fitness fundraiser for family of Rochdale legend Joe Thompson
A friend and former teammate of the late Rochdale footballerJoe Thompson is holding a non-stop fitness session to raise money for Joe's family. Simon Ramsden played at Rochdale FC with Joe for six years. He is taking on the massive challenge of a 37 hour non stop fitness session, accompanied by friends and former colleagues. He said: "One of Joe's sayings in life is "don't live life to survive, live life to thrive' and I think that's absolutely right. "I'm doing 37 hours, and seven rhymes with heaven, so I could have taken the easy option and done 27 or a lesser number, but Joe never did anything by half, so I don't think I should either." Thompson - who battled cancer on three occasions - died at the age of 36 in April 2025. He played more than 200 games for Rochdale, and was first diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013 while playing for Tranmere. He later signed for Bury and spent time on loan at Southport and Wrexham as he tried to build his match fitness following treatment. He returned to Rochdale from Carlisle in 2016 but the disease soon returned, requiring extensive treatment. Thompson announced he was cancer free in June 2017 and less than a year later scored the goal that kept Rochdale in League One, beating Charlton on the final day of the season. However, he announced his retirement two years later, saying at the time his body had been pushed 'to the limit' by his two fights against Hodgkin lymphoma. He started his career in the Manchester United academy as a forward, and later returned to the club as an Ambassador. After he'd called time on his playing career, Joe took to fundraising and raising awareness of blood cancers, most recently completing a 21-mile walk from Old Trafford to Rochdale's Crown Oil Arena. Simon's challenge will raise money so that Joe's wife Chantelle can take their daughters Lula and Athena Rae on a dream holiday to New York, something that Joe had promised 12 year-old Lula. He said: "The donations are coming in left, right and centre from all over the country. It's been a crazy few hours with no sleep and we will be training through the night, but its all for an amazing cause." "Joe was an amazing man and a great friend to me - we want to be able to give something back to his kids. Every penny will go to them."
ITV News
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Packed funeral for Rochdale FC legend Joe Thompson who bravely faced cancer three times
Mourners have packed a church for the funeral of Rochdale FC legend Joe Thompson, who died after revealing he had cancer for the third died on 17 April after being diagnosed with Stage Four lymphoma, which had spread to his lungs. At least 400 people were inside St Mark's Church in Worsley, Salford, and about 200 more stood in the grounds to watch the service and highlights from Joe's career on coffin arrived, bearing a display of flowers reading 'Daddy', from his two daughters. It was carried into the church to the sounds of Take Me Home by Jess Glynne. White doves were released from white baskets - the first by Joe's widow Chantelle - followed by a spontaneous round of applause. During the service, Lula, Joe's 12 year old daughter, spoke during the service of their special bond: "It's your time to have the rest you deserve now," she said. "Thank you so much for being my best friend and you always will be for eternity you will be watching over s every single day and I know what a magical place you are in now."Fighting back tears, Chantelle Thompson said he was "soulmate... my rock... and my everything". She added: "I don't know who I am without him." Former team-mate Ryan Lowe said before the service: "You only have to look at the want to celebrate his life in style because he was a brilliant character, fantastic guy, unbelievable person and yeah, he'll be sadly missed. "But, as they'll do, they'll give him a good it's been a sad moment all round."Jim McNulty, the current Rochdale manager, said: "Joe was everything; he was our ultimate team mate and will remain so. Joe stood for all the principles through life and through his fight in life and how he converted his fight to happiness and enjoying the journey."
Sky News
18-04-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Joe Thompson: Former Rochdale footballer dies aged 36 after third cancer diagnosis
Former Rochdale player Joe Thompson has died aged 36. His former club said it was "devastated" to learn of his death. Thompson, who retired in 2019, was diagnosed with cancer for a third time last year. In its statement, Rochdale FC said he died "peacefully at home on Thursday, with his family by his side". He made over 200 appearances for Rochdale, who he joined from Manchester United 's academy in 2005. The club posted a tribute on X, describing the former midfielder as "a warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age". In her tribute on Instagram, Thompson's wife Chantelle said he had "made such an impact on so many people" and he was "the most incredible husband, son, brother, friend and father". During his career, he played for Tranmere Rovers, Bury and Carlisle United, with spells on loan at Wrexham and Southport. He was first diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013, while playing for Tranmere. When Thompson rejoined Rochdale from Carlisle in 2016 the disease soon returned, but he confirmed he was cancer free in June 2017. Two years later, he announced his retirement at the age of 29, saying his body had been pushed "to the limit" having twice undergone treatment for cancer. Last year, he revealed he had been diagnosed with stage four lymphoma which had spread to his lungs. Hodgkin lymphoma is a relatively aggressive type of cancer that can spread quickly through the body, according to the NHS. Rochdale, who face Altrincham on Friday, have confirmed that players will wear black armbands during the National League match.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Joe Thompson: Former Rochdale footballer dies aged 36 after third cancer diagnosis
Former Rochdale player Joe Thompson has died aged 36. His former club said it was "devastated" to learn of his death. Thompson, who retired in 2019, was diagnosed with cancer for a third time last year. In its statement, Rochdale FC said he died "peacefully at home on Thursday, with his family by his side". He made over 200 appearances for Rochdale, who he joined from Manchester United's academy in 2005. The club posted a tribute on X, describing the former midfielder as "a warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age". In her tribute on Instagram, Thompson's wife Chantelle said he had "made such an impact on so many people" and he was "the most incredible husband, son, brother, friend and father". During his career, he played for Tranmere Rovers, Bury and Carlisle United, with spells on loan at Wrexham and Southport. He was first diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013, while playing for Tranmere. When Thompson rejoined Rochdale from Carlisle in 2016 the disease soon returned, but he confirmed he was cancer free in June 2017. Two years later, he announced his retirement at the age of 29, saying his body had been pushed "to the limit" having twice undergone treatment for cancer. Last year, he revealed he had been diagnosed with stage four lymphoma which had spread to his lungs. Read more from Sky News: Hodgkin lymphoma is a relatively aggressive type of cancer that can spread quickly through the body, according to the NHS. Rochdale, who face Altrincham on Friday, have confirmed that players will wear black armbands during the National League match.
